The University of Illinois Springfield hosted the “Day of AI” on Friday, April 4, a half-day event designed to introduce regional high school students to artificial intelligence concepts, career pathways and real-world applications. The free event was organized by the UIS AI Campus Learning Community and the UIS College of Health, Science and Technology.

More than 450 high school students from across the region attended the event at the UIS Student Union. Speakers included Tyler Clark, U.S. government affairs industry director for state and local government at Microsoft, and Matthew Dearing, AI technical lead and app developer at Argonne National Laboratory. They shared insights on how artificial intelligence intersects with various industries and discussed career opportunities in both STEM and non-STEM fields.

During the lunch hour, UIS held an AI Talent Expo, where UIS students showcased their own AI-related projects and innovations. Representatives from various UIS departments and recruitment teams were also on site to engage with students and share academic and career resources.

The “Day of AI” marked the largest event to date organized by the UIS AI Campus Learning Community, which was co-founded by faculty members Neetu Singh and Hei-Chi Chan. Over the past 15 months, the group has reached more than 600 participants through a variety of in-person and virtual programming designed to promote AI literacy and connect experts with learners.

Organizers are already planning additional programming for the 2025 academic year, with a continued focus on creating engaging, inclusive learning opportunities that bring high school students to campus and help prepare them for a future shaped by artificial intelligence.